Tips for Buying the Right Skid Steer or Compact Track Loader

Any time you purchase a new skid steer or compact track loader, it represents a significant investment. This is an extremely versatile and sought-after tool, especially in the fields of agriculture and construction. There are, of course, many different brands and types of skid steers, which can make the selection of one difficult if you aren’t well researched in your options.

Here are some tips from a forklift dealer in Abilene, TX that will help you purchase the right skid steer for your needs.

Decide on a brand

Your first step is to decide on a brand you want, especially if you’re purchasing a brand new machine. There are a lot of brand diehards out there, but the biggest factor in the brand is usually not the quality of the equipment so much as the dealership you’ll be working with. You want to make sure you’ve got a team of people who will provide you with the outstanding service and support you need. Therefore, do your research into the various dealerships and find out how well they take care of their customers. This will do a lot to inform your brand choice.

Machine size

What size machine do you need? Will it be a large, medium or small frame machine? A medium machine is capable of doing most of the work a large frame machine will do, just not quite as quickly. Small frame machines are obviously capable of operating in places large frame machines simply can’t reach. Consider what exactly you’ll be doing with your machine and the environment in which you’ll be working. Will you be transporting the machine regularly? That’s definitely another question to consider.

Skid steer vs. compact track loader

The decision of whether to purchase a skid steer or compact track loader depends on several factors, including the environment in which you’ll be working. If you’re going to be working on asphalt, you’ll want a machine with tires. If you’re going to be working in sand, you’ll probably want a machine with tracks. Operating cost might also be a concern—tracks typically cost much more per hour to operate. In addition, solid tires will last longer than tracks, but will give you a bit of a rougher ride. If you purchase a wheeled skid steer, you can always get over-tire tracks. While this won’t make it a full-on track loader, it will at least help in certain circumstances.

High or low flow

Standard flow for this type of machinery is usually between 20 and 30 gpm. A high flow machine will give you more power than that. Standard flow attachments are generally cheaper, but obviously won’t have the same capabilities. If you run a mulcher or continuous flow attachment, you’re probably going to want a high flow machine.

These are just a few of the factors you need to consider when purchasing a skid steer or compact track loader. For more information about this decision, contact V-Bar Equipment Company to speak with an experienced forklift dealer in Abilene, TX.

Categorised in: Forklift Dealer

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